Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering

Volume 2 Issue 1

Traditional Building Materials in Construction (Sand, Mortar

and Concrete) - An overview

Kriti S. Basak, Ar.Nitesh Dogne

Anand College of Architecture, Agra, India
E-mail: nitesh.arch@gmail.com

Abstract
The article provides an overview of Traditional building materials (i.e., Sand, Mortar and
Concrete). As they are the traditional building materials and are used in constructions these
days. Here, we will discuss about their nature of materials, types of the particular material,
uses and function of the material. The material may differ from place to place on the basis of
climatic condition, atmospheric pressure and mainly on Topography.

Keywords: Types of sand, mortar, concrete advantages, disadvantages, functions of them

SAND most common constituent of sand is

Sand is a naturally occurring granular silica (silicon dioxide or SiO2), usually, in
material composed of finely the form of quartz [1–3].
divided rock and mineral particles. The

TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION
MATERIALS

SAND MORTAR CONCRETE

Fig.1: Sizes of Different Construction Materials.

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 2 Issue 1

SOURCES OF SAND  This sand is widely used for all purposes.

Sand is formed by the weathering of It is obtained from the banks or beds of
rocks. Based upon the natural sources rivers and it consists of fine rounded
from which it is obtained, it is grains. The presence of fine rounded
distinguished as follows: grains is due to mutual attrition under the
 Pit Sand. action of water current.
 River Sand.  The river sand is available in clean
 Sea Sand. conditions.
 Crushed Stone Sand/Artificial Sand.  The river sand is almost white in color.

Pit Sand
 This sand is available by forming pits
in soils.
 It is excavated from some particular
depth of about 1-2 m from the ground
level.
 This sand is found as deposits in soil
and it consists of sharp angular grains,
Fig. 3: Extracting River Sand.
which are free from salts.
 It is considered as an excellent
Sea Sand
material for mortar or concrete work.
 This is obtained from sea shores.
 Before it can be used in mortar, pit
 It is brown in color and it also has the
sand are made free from clay and other
fine.
organic materials.
 Round grain.
 A coating of oxide of iron over the
 As it is obtained from sea it contains
sand grains should be removed.
salt, which is used in attracting
moisture from atmosphere.
 Such absorption causes dampness and
disintegration of work.
 It is generally not used for engineering
purpose due to its retards setting action
Fig. 2: A Site where Pit Sand is Taken.
River Sand

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 2 Issue 1

of cement. It is normally used for non-

structural purposes.

Fig. 5: Artificial Manufacturing Sand.

Fig. 4: Sea sand Excavation. CLASSIFICATION OF SAND

Artificial Sand/Crushed Stone Sand
 It is a substitute for River Sand, fine
aggregates which manufactured by
crushing either granite or basalt rock
using 3 steps of crushing process.
 This sand is manufactured
conformance to IS Codes and is an
effective alternative to river sand.
 Artificial sand is widely used in road
construction, concrete industry, etc. As
the field of industry application
gradually expanded, the
application of natural sand work more
and failed to keep pace with the
various sectors of modern world
development needs. For the most part,
artificial sand is produced to meet the
great needs. More advanced sand
making machines have been invented
to push forward human civilization.
Based on the Grain Size Distribution
Fine Sand
The sand passing through a sieve with
clear openings of 1.5875 mm is known as
fine sand. Fine sand is mainly used for
plastering.
in
Coarse Sand
The sand passing 1through a sieve with
clear openings of 3.175 mm is known as
coarse sand. It is generally used for
masonry work.
gradual Gravelly Sand
The sand passing through a sieve with
clear openings of 7.62 mm is known as
gravelly sand. It is generally used for
concrete work.
GRADING OF SANDS
On the basis of particle size, fine
aggregate is graded into four zones.

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 It should contain sharp, angular, coarse

and durable grains.
 It should not contain salts which
attract moisture from the atmosphere.
 It should be well graded, i.e., it should
contain particles of various sizes in
suitable proportions.
 It should be strong and durable.
Fig. 6: Grading of Sand.
 It should be clean and free from
coatings of clay and silt.
USES OF SAND IN DIFFERENT
CONSTRUCTION WORKS
TESTING OF SAND
 Different construction works need
 To check the quality of fine aggregates
different quality of sand for
or sand; put some quantity of sand in a
construction.
glass of water. Then, it is vigorously
 Brick Works: finest modulus of fine shaken and allowed to settle. If the
sand should be 1.2 to 1.5 and silt clay is present in sand, its distinct
contents should not be more than 4% layer is formed at the top of sand.
 Plastering Works: finest modulus of  To detect the presence of organic
fine sand should not be more than 1.5 impurities in sand, a solution of
and silt contents should not be more sodium hydroxide or caustic soda is
than 4%. added to sand and stirred. If the color
 Concreting Works: Course sand of solution changes into brown, it
should be used with finest modulus 2.5 shows presence of impurities.
to 3.5 and silt contents should not be
more than 4%. BULKING OF SAND
 The increase in the volume of sand due
PROPERTIES OF GOOD SAND to the presence of moisture is known
 It should be clean and coarse. as bulking of sand. This is due to the
 It should be free from any organic or fact that moisture forms a film of
vegetable matter; usually 3-4 per cent water around the sand particles and
clay is permitted. these results in an increase in the
 It should be chemically inert. volume of sand. The extent of bulking

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
depends on the grading of sand. The
finer the material the more will be the
increase in volume for the given
moisture content.
 For a moisture content of 5–8 per cent,
the increase in volume may be about
20–40 per cent depending upon the
gradation of sand. When the moisture
content is further increased, the sand
particles pack near each other and the
amount of bulking is decreased.
Hence, dry sand and the sand
completely flooded with water have
practically the same volume.
Fig. 7: Testing of Sand.
DELETERIOUS MATERIAL IN
SAND
 Sand shall not contain any harmful
impurities such as iron, pyrites, alaklies,
salts, coal or other organic impurities,
mica, shale or similar laminated materials,
soft fragments, sea shale in such form or
in such quantities as to affect adversely the
hardening, strength or durability of the
mortar. The maximum quantities of clay,
fine silt, fine dust and organic impurities
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Volume 2 Issue 1
in the sand/ marble dust shall not exceed
the following limits:
 Clay, fine silt and fine dust when
determined in accordance within not
more than 5% by mass in IS 2386
(Part-II), natural sand or crushed
gravel sand and crushed stone sand.
 Organic impurities when determined
in color of the liquid shall be lighter in
lighter in accordance with IS 2386
(Part –II) than that specified in the
code.
MORTAR
 When a binding material, a fine
aggregate and water are mixed
together in suitable proportions, they
form an easily workable paste which is
termed as Mortar.
 When a binding material, (a fine and a
coarse aggregate) and water are mixed
in suitable proportions, they form an
easily workable mix which is termed
as plastic, wet or green concrete.
 When this plastic concrete becomes
hard like a stone, this is termed as
hardened concrete or simply Concrete.
 For preparing mortars and concretes,
cement and lime are generally used as
binding materials;
 sand and surkhi as fine aggregates and
 Crushed stone and crushed bricks as
coarse aggregates.
 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
FUNCTIONS OF MORTAR
 To bind together the bricks or stones
properly so as to provide strength to
the structure.
 To form a homogenous mass of the
structure so as to resist all the loads
coming over it without disintegration.
 To provide a weather resisting, i.e., a
durable layer between the different
courses of masonry in the structure.
 To hold coarse aggregate together in
any concrete so as to form a solid
mass. The mortar used in a concrete is
termed as matrix.
 To do pointing and plastering to the
structure. The mortar used for
plastering is known as plaster.
 To fill up empty joints in brick and
stone masonry. The mortar used for
such purposes is a thin liquid mortar
which is termed as grout and the
process is known as grouting.
PREPARATION OF CEMENT
MORTAR
 The sands and the cement have to be
thoroughly mixed by hand or in a
mechanical mixer before adding any
water-do not use dirty water, or water
from puddles or ponds, as this could
impair the final strength of the
mortar.
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 Similarly, keep any sugar-containing
liquids, such as soft drinks, well away
from the mix-sugar, even in small
amounts, seriously impairs the setting
ability of the cement.
 When mixing by hand, the sands and
cement are heaped up on a mixing
board or in a wheelbarrow and
repeatedly turned over and over until
thoroughly mixed.
 The color of the dry mix will change
as the cement is distributed
throughout-there should be no
'streaking' of cement and no clumps
of pure sand or pure cement.
 Once the dry ingredients are mixed,
the water can be added.
 If any additives are being used, such
as a plasticizer or a frost-proofer, they
are normally added to the water, and
then mixed in, rather than being
directly added to the dry ingredients.
 A "well" is formed in the centre of the
mixed heap; water added to it and
then folded in.
 More water is added a bit at a time
and folded in until the required
consistency is attained.
 This should be when the mortar is
thoroughly mixed but is able to stand
in peaks, like whipped cream; too wet
and it just makes a mess, too dry and
it is almost impossible to work.
 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Fig. 8: Dry Sand and Cement in
Wheelbarrow.
Fig. 9: Begin to Mix Sand and Cement.
Fig. 10: Mix to Evenly Distribute Cement.
Fig. 11: The Dry Mix should be all One
Colour.
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Fig. 12: Add Water and Plasticiser.
Fig. 13: Mix to Required Consistency.
 When using a mechanical mixer, add
half a bucket (2 or 3 liters) of clean
cold water to the empty drum before
adding the dry ingredients in sequence.
 Add 4 measures of sand then 1 of
cement, followed by 4 sand, then
cement and so on until the required
quantity is in the mixer.
 This ensures a more thorough mix than
adding, say, 20 measures of sand and
then 5 measures of cement.
 Again, the water is added to the
revolving drum once the dry
ingredients are thoroughly blended, a
 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 2 Issue 1

bit at a time until the required  This type is used for all engineering
consistency is achieved. works where high strength is desired
such as load bearing walls, deep
foundations, flooring etc.

Lime Mortar
 The paste is prepared by mixing lime
and sand or surkhi in suitable
proportions in addition to water.
 If surkhi is to be added in lime mortar
Fig. 14: A Mortar Mixing Machine.
the equal proportions of sand and
surkhi should be mixed with lime.
For wide joints in paving or for stonework,
 These mortars are inferior to cement
either as paving or as walling, a coarser
mortars in strength as well as water
mortar is often preferred-replace half of the
tightness.
building/soft sand with grit/sharp sand.
 These mortars should not be used for
You will probably find that a coarse mortar
underground works as they set in the
such as this requires less gauging water to
presence of carbon dioxide and break
achieve a working consistency than does a
up in damp conditions.
bricklaying/general purpose mortar
 This type is used for construction work
above ground level, i.e., exposed
TYPES OF MORTAR AND THEIR
positions.
USES
Cement Mortar
Light Weight Mortar
 The paste is prepared by mixing
 The paste is prepared by mixing wood
cement and sand in suitable
powder, wood sawing or saw dust with
proportions in addition to water.
cement or lime mortar.
 The general proportion is 1 part of
 In such mortars fibers of jute coir or
cement to 2-8 parts clean sand.
asbestos fibers can also be used.
 These mortars must be use within half
 These are generally used as fiber
an hour, i.e., before initial setting time
plasters in sound and heat proof
of the cement.
construction.

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Fire Resistant Mortar varying its proportions with the

The paste is prepared by mixing binding material.
aluminous cement and finely crushed fire  Well graded sand adds to the density
bricks in suitable proportions in addition of mortars and concretes.
to water.
 The usual proportion are 1 part Functions of Surkhi
aluminous cement to 2 parts of finely  It provides brick color and make the
crushed fire bricks. mortar economical.
 These are generally used for lining
furnaces, ovens and fire places with CONCRETE
fire bricks. An artificial stone resulting from
hardening of a mixture of a binding
Mud Mortar material, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate
 The paste is prepared by mixing and water in suitable proportions is called
suitable clayey soil with water. concrete. Cement and sand are generally
 The soil which is used for preparing used as binding materials whereas sand,
mud mortar should be free from grass, surkhi, cinder are used as fine aggregates
pebbles etc. and crushed stones, gravel, broken bricks,
 These are the cheapest mortars but etc. are used as coarse aggregates in
weakest in strength. preparing different types of concrete.
These mortars are used for brickwork
of ordinary buildings and for  A good Portland cement or lime, clean
plastering walls in rural areas. sand and strong coarse aggregates are
necessary for making a good concrete.
FUNCTION OF SAND AND SURKHI  The required strength of concrete can
IN MORTARS be obtained by careful selection of its
Functions of Sand ingredients, accurate water
 It reduces shrinkage of the building measurements and adopting good
material. workmanship in mixing,
 It prevents development of cracks in transportation, placing, compaction,
the mortar on drying. finishing and 1111curing of concrete

 It helps in making mortars and in the construction works.

concretes of desired strength by

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CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD Shrinkage

CONCRETE It should have minimum shrinkage when it
Crushing Strength hardens.
It should have adequate crushing strength.
Creep
Durability The continuous strain with time which the
It must be durable enough to resist the concrete undergoes due to application of
effects of weathering agencies. external load is called creep, time yield or
plastic flow. This should be minimum.
Impermeability
It should have sufficient impermeability or Economy
water tightness. It should be economical for the desired
strength.
Resistance to Abrasion
It should be sufficiently hard and provide Appearance
enough resistance to abrasion. This It should provide the required finish to the
property is very essential when the concrete structure
concrete is to be used for making road
pavements and steps. TYPES OF CONCRETES AND
THEIR USES
Resistance to Fire Concrete are classified into different types
It should have minimum thermal as follows:
expansion so as to provide good resistance (a) According to binding material used
to fire. in the preparation of concrete.
(b) According to design of concrete.
Workability (c) According to purpose of concrete.
It should have good workability so that it
can be readily deposited in position in a CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO
uniform layer and also adaptable for THE BINDING MATERIAL
ornamental moldings Cement Concrete
Compactness  The concrete consisting of cement,
It must be sufficiently dense. The concrete sand and coarse aggregate mixed in
with greater density will be more compact.

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
Volume 2 Issue 1

suitable proportions in addition to  The cement concrete in which no

water is called cement concrete.
 Cement is used as binding material,
where proportions of the ingredients
are 1 part Portland cement: 1.5 to 8
parts clean sand; 3 to 16 parts coarse
aggregate.
 Cement concrete is generally used for
buildings and other important
engineering works where strength and
durability is of prime importance.
Lime Concrete
 The concrete consisting of lime, a fine
aggregate and coarse aggregate mixed
in suitable proportions in addition to
water is called lime concrete.
 In this type of concrete, hydraulic lime
is generally used as a binding material;
sand, surkhi and cinder are used as
fine aggregates and broken bricks and
stones etc. as coarse aggregates.
 It has less strength but is cheaper than
cement concrete.
 It is generally used for the sake of
economy in foundations works, under
floors, over roofs etc.
CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO
DESIGN
Plain Cement Concrete
reinforcement is provided is known as
plain cement concrete.
 It is commonly used for foundation work
and flooring of buildings.
Reinforced Cement Concrete (R.C.C)
 The cement concrete in which
reinforcement is embedded for taking
tensile, excessive compressive or shear
stresses are called reinforced cement
concrete.
 The steel reinforcement generally used
is in form of round bars.
 Usual proportions of reinforced
concrete are 1 part of Portland cement:
1 to 2 parts clean sand: 2 to 4 parts
shingle or crushed stone.
 It is commonly used for construction
of slabs, lintels, beams, columns and
their footings, raft or mat foundations,
precast or cast-insitu concrete piles
etc.
Pre-Stressed Cement Concrete (P.C.C):
 The cement concrete in which high
compressive stresses are artificially
induced before their actual use is
called pre- stressed cement concrete.
 The high compressive strength is
induced by pre-tensioning the
reinforcement before placing the
concrete and the reinforcement is

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 Journal of Construction and Building Materials Engineering
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released when final setting of the

concrete takes place.
 It is used where high stresses develop
and where it is uneconomical to use
reinforced cement concrete.
CONCLUSION
So, from the above data analysis we have
came to the stage that the three building
materials are very effectively useful in
today’s construction and replacing any one
from these by introducing any new
product may be possible. But these will
not extinct as they have a various good
properties as we have mentioned above.
All those material are now available in all
places.

REFERENCES
1. Engineering Material-Rangwala.
2. Available at: www.history.com.
3. Available at: www.classle.net.

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